Jayalalitha re-elected as AIADMK legislature party’s leader, may form government tomorrow

AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa was re- elected as the leader of the legislature party by the lawmakers of AIADMK. This move has paved a way for her return as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister after her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case. She has also been invited by the Governor K. Rosaiah to form the government.

Accepting the resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam and his council of ministers on Friday Governor K. Rosaiah invited AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalaltihaa to form the ministry at the earliest, a Raj Bhavan statement said.

An unnamed party leader told IANS, “It was a short meeting mainly to elect Amma (Jayalalithaa) as the AIADMK’s legislature party leader”.

IANS reported that during the meeting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam proposed Jayalalithaa’s name as the leader of the legislature party and also said he would resign as chief minister and leader of the legislature party.

As per the report, it is expected that on Saturday Jayalalithaa would be sworn-in as the chief minister of the state.

Last September Jayalalithaa had to resign from her post as chief minister after she was convicted by a trial court in the disproportionate assets case. On May 11, the Karnataka high court scrapped the trial court conviction and cleared Jayalalithaa of all charges.

On May 17, P. Vetrivel, an AIADMK MLA from Radhakrishnan Nagar assembly constituency, resigned from his post to pave a way for Jayalalithaa. IANS reported that it is expected that Jayalalithaa would contest for re-election from Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day without transacting any business on Wednesday as a mark of respect to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi who died in Chennai on Tuesday.

The presiding officers of the two Houses made obituary references and paid homage to the 94-year-old political stalwart.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan described him as a visionary and a true leader of the masses and said his death “is an irreparable loss to the country and marks the end of an era”.

The members stood in silence for a short while.

A 2 Minute Silence Was Observed For M. Karunanidhi, After His Passing On Tuedsay. Flickr

In the obituary reference, Mahajan said Karunanidhi, an astute administrator, in his “long and illustrious political career” showcased his “admirable leadership qualities and worked relentlessly for the cause of the people, particularly the marginalised and the downtrodden sections of the society.

“A multifaceted persona, Karunanidhi rose to become the most celebrated screenwriter in the Tamil film industry, using the cinematic medium to deliver his political ideas to the masses. The 1952 box office hit ‘Parasakthi’, in particular, was a turning point both in Tamil cinema and for Karunanidhi,” she said.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu said Karunanidhi was actively engaged in social and public life.